No time left
Notes
Transcript
1 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.” 5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven 6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, 7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. 8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.” 9 So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.” And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.” 10 Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 11 And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”
Introduction:
This chapter all the way through to chapter 11:4, is parenthetical and interrupts the narrative, like we saw in chapter seven.
And we find another mighty angel.
That is, an angel of the same kind as the other mighty angels mentioned in these chapters.
Some have believed this mighty angel to be the Lord Jesus Christ, because of the attributes mentioned, and because Christ is seen as the Angel of the Jehovah in the Old Testament.
There is no reason to think along these lines, because after the birth of Jesus, He is never again referred to as the Angel of Jehovah.
It also doesn’t fit in the narrative where the Lamb is the center of the seals, Trumpets, and Vial, judgments.
Some that have been seduced by this theory have developed damnable heresies, like the Jehovah Witnesses who believe Jesus to be a created being and Michael the Archangel.
But, this mighty angel has an open book, which we take to be different than the scroll with the seven seals.
John is told to take the book and eat it, as did Ezekiel in
9 Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. 10 Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe.
1 Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. 4 Then He said to me: “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them.
This is the Word of God.
Sweet as honey in the mouth!
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Yet, it would be bitter in his stomach!
And he is told to prophecy for many more days.
Prophesy about what?
The only thing we are commanded to prophesy of, the Gospel!
I. The Impending Judgment.
I. The Impending Judgment.
There is no more time for mankind in this chapter.
The end has come, and although God is merciful as we saw last week, He is righteous and just.
And so He will judge, and the time here has come that there are no more reprieves.
Let this be a warning to all - God has a time table, and when that time comes, nothing will prevent it!
II. The Eternal Loss.
II. The Eternal Loss.
The main thing we must keep in mind, is that people who fall under God’s judgment, will face eternal damnation!
Let me say that again - people who fall under God’s judgment, will face eternal damnation!
I don’t know whether that brings any conviction upon your hearts, or any empathy, or any anxiety?
But, my friends, we have been given insight to the plight of all unbelievers, of all time!
Yes, they are culpable for their unbelief!
Yes, they are guilty before God!
Yes, they are sinners deserving God’s eternal wrath!
But, so are we! The only difference between us and them is, that we have been redeemed!
III. The Everlasting Gospel.
III. The Everlasting Gospel.
We must stop and consider that there is no more important directive in the entire world, than that the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached.
And everyone of us has a part in this testimony, regardless of whether we plant the seed, water it, or harvest.
If we know that there is a judgment coming
If we know that people are dying and will spend eternity in hell
If we know that it is altogether hopeless for them
Why are we not taking this more seriously?
The gospel, is the good news of Jesus Christ!
That He has come in the flesh to die for the sins of the world, and He rose from the grave bodily , to give us everlasting life!
And that whosoever will come can take of the water of life freely.
Can you fathom this?
Those who have trusted Christ, will never face judgment for their sins, because they’ve been washed in the blood of the Lamb!
There is no sadness that He will not turn to joy!
No tears that He will not wipe away!
No poverty that He will not turn to riches!
No infirmity that He will not make whole!
No bitterness that He will not make sweet!
No injustice that He will not make right!
He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!
He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end!
He is the Lamb of God which takes away sin!
He is the Rose of Sharon, and the bright and morning Star!
He is the comforter!
He is wonderful, counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace!
His name is Jesus, Savior!
He is our friend!
Conclusion:
Is there not a reason to make Him known to all?
The world is lost!
Our country is falling apart!
But, we have the greatest news and hope for it.
Let us be as Jesus said to His parents - I must be busy about my Father’s work!
